instinctive
adjective
in·stinc·tive
in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously
… an instinctive fear of innovation.—
V. L. Parrington
V. L. Parrington
instinctively
adverb
Examples of instinctive in a Sentence
Cats have an instinctive desire to hunt.
the instinctive reaction of a mother is to protect her children
Recent Examples on the Web
Repetition and positive reinforcement build instinctive responses, reduce human error and amplify security culture.
—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The rookie is an instinctive playmaker who has a knack for creating turnovers.
—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Tailoring became lighter, proportions relaxed and layering more instinctive, creating wardrobes that feel versatile rather than prescriptive.
—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
Marina, for her part, reacts to every new face and each fresh piece of information with an instinctive guardedness—and Garcia illuminates, with an almost sphinx-like half smile, the preternatural reserve of someone who’s grown up knowing not to expect too much from people.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
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Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The rookie is an instinctive playmaker who has a knack for creating turnovers.
—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Tailoring became lighter, proportions relaxed and layering more instinctive, creating wardrobes that feel versatile rather than prescriptive.
—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
Marina, for her part, reacts to every new face and each fresh piece of information with an instinctive guardedness—and Garcia illuminates, with an almost sphinx-like half smile, the preternatural reserve of someone who’s grown up knowing not to expect too much from people.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
Cite this Entry
“Instinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinctive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instinctive
adjective
in·stinc·tive
in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: resulting from or caused by instinct
instinctively
adverb
Medical Definition
instinctive
adjective
in·stinc·tive
in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: derived from or prompted by instinct
an instinctive fear
instinctively
adverb
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